Sketchy Shadow Boyo Want Make Seem Less Sketch So He Do Ninja Stuff And Shojin Throw Egg [Private]

It was something of a tradition for each year's  Rookie of the Year to make a small speech to the next year's graduating classes at their Genin exams, and with this exam, that responsibility fell on Shojin.  He was only a bit nervous at the concept of it; it had been scheduled for awhile now, and he'd just kept forgetting.  Still, Shojin had been approached by a multitude of senior ninja because of his apparent progress the moment he'd hit the real ninja world, and many had expressed their gratitude that he did not allow his status as Rookie of the Year to make him complacent, and that he had kept advancing.

So, Shojin walked into the Academy into a backroom.  He'd arrived early, as it was his habit to be punctual.  It was the teacher's lounge, and it was odd to be there with permission for once; all the times he'd snuck in and gotten in trouble, and this time he'd been invited!  Shojin was forced to hold back snickering each time an academy instructor approached him and congratulated him on his success, because each time they did, he was reminded that these were always the same people who kicked him out for stealing their good snacks.  Eventually, the Headmaster of the Ninja Academy came into the room to give Shojin the rundown of what he was supposed to do.  He just had to wait for the Headmaster to say something along the lines of; "And, if you don't take it from me, take it from this year's Number One Genin!"  Until then, he just ate all the instructors' cookies - which they'd gladly let him have this time!

Hajime had been doing well in the academy, always scoring in the upper thresholds for everything but not being on top. This was on purpose, of course. If he stood on top of everyone, it'd attract far too much attention to a complete unknown. Being a complete unkonwn that was soaring to the sky was something for Sho to do; not Hajime. Hajime was painted as someone who didn't want to do anything crazy. Hajime just wanted to relax once he became a ninja which was his story.

Hajime had decided to wear a nice suit to his graduation, despite the fact that he still had the tests to do. He even wore his nice shoes, though not the dress-shoes. That would just be asking for a trouble when it came to varying tests. At best; the tests would just be a spar or some shuriken throwing. Hajime wasn't concerned no matter what, as he'd simply do whatever he needed to to not be at the top.

Hajime wasn't skilled anymore; ignoring the fact that he slept through half of his classes. Not that that didn't attract attention, but it was more a matter of being a slacker. If he painted himself as a slacker, it allowed him to be whatever. If he were to succeed, he'd be a simple success story. If he failed, he'd just be called a slacker. Being somewhere in the middle gets his name in the mouths of some important people; which it's in none of the actually important peoples mouths.

Hajime would arrive and stand around until it was speech time. Hajime found it funny, somewhat. He had been on the other side of this once.

TWC: 282

In the midst of Shojin's somewhat ironic pig-out session, he heard his queue called. He smiled, and was just a bit nervous, despite his feelings only a few minutes ago.  He wasn't much of a public speaker; not that this was much of a speech; but his slight worry more came from the concern that the Academy staff wouldn't like the "speech" he had in mind.  He checked his pockets to ensure the bouncy ball and egg were still there, then he stepped out of the door.  

To Shojin's right was a small make-shift stage.  He'd wave at the students and the parents that had come with them today as he turned and ascended the stairs to the platform.  He stood in front of the people that really weren't much younger than he, and he smiled.  He wasn't nervous anymore, now that he was in the moment.  If anything, he was excited to see people's reactions.

"As a Ninja, you will be thrown to the ground!  The world is not gentle.  There are two reactions you can have!"  Shojin withdrew an egg, and a fist sized rubber ball from his pocket.  "Ball.  Egg."  He then threw them both to the ground; the egg shattered, and the ball bounced unharmed, higher than where he had thrown it from.  "Don't be an egg."  Then, he'd turn, and walk back into the teacher's lounge without another word or gesture.   Once back inside, he'd get back to his snacking and await the lectures or accolades; whichever came.

TWC: 532

Hajime was unimpressed by the speech, considering it inapplicable to ninja life as a general stance. The optimal method of dealing with most situations was to be the ball; but there were times where at least pretending to be the egg would produce far more optimal results. Hajime didn't even bother clapping.

That wasn't to say that the rest of the crowd was eating it up and loving it. A good chunk of people would start clapping, while others would put hands to chin and think about it. It was overall a fantastic reception of the rather short speech. The applause and such would end pretty shortly after Shojin would leave though. As such is the life of a guest speaker, they love you only so long as you're on the stage.

Afterwards, the tests to become a genin would start. It was some really basic fundamentals. You had to hold a transformation for twenty seconds and all sorts of stuff like that. Throwing a shuriken, and making sure you kept within the target enough to be considered good at it.

Hajime, of course, kept to the absolute average of everyone. Standing out would only draw significant attention, and that's just not something Hajime was willing to have. Playing a prodigy wasn't difficult, but playing a prodigy who has shadow jutsu? When one just recently died? That's the type of thing that not only gets you looked at by far too perceptive of people, but interrogated by the clans on how you found out about the jutsu.

Of course, none of them would be suspicious of him being Shou, but that didn't mean he wanted to stick out as a rule of thumb.

TWC: 565

Having sufficiently pigged out, Shojin spent a few moments gathering his things together before he left.  It wasn't a lot that he needed; he checked and made sure that Hebunriamori was still on his waist, and that he'd recovered his bouncy ball.  He liked that ball quite a bit, and wanted to make sure he didn't end up going home without it.  So, he exited the lounge and looked around a bit at the stage.  A few people approached him to shake his hand, but after a few seconds, he was left alone to concentrate on the task at hand. 

There were kids just a bit younger than he was there, some crying, some laughing.  There wasn't a ton of neutrality, as the only possibilities were that people passed or people failed.  For some, it was the last opportunity they'd have; you could only take the exam so many times.  Others were here early.  Shojin noticed a black haired boy, who showed no excitement, nor sadness; but after a moment he just assumed maybe he hadn't gone yet.  Finally, turning a chair over, Shojin found the ball he'd been looking for.  He snatched it up and rose to his feet as he stuffed the little toy in his pocket with a small smile on his face.  It had only been a few months, but it felt like ages ago that he was at the academy every day; and he couldn't help but to allow a tiny bit of nostalgia to take hold.

784

Hajime had seen Shojin reappear, and thought about talking to him. Of course, it wouldn't be strange so Hajime decided that it'd be a good idea. Hajime, of course, couldn't be bothered with anything other than making contact with someone who had a surplus of talent in the ninja world. Hajime had no particular reasons outside of Shojin being the choice speaker. Meant talent, and that meant that keeping tabs on said talent would inevitably be part of his job.

Hajime would walk over and start talking, starting with "Hello. I am Hajime Noya, a student of this generation. I'm wondering how long it's been since you graduated?" The question, while perhaps strange, wasn't unwarranted to Hajime. Insofar as he's concerned, he was invited back when he was ten. Not that he cared if Shojin were invited back five years in a row or whatever,. It was just a matter of unofficial reconnaissance, but still servered an important purpose.

Of course, Hajime had already gone and knew that his success was a forgone conclusion. After all, an ex-chunnin not being able to pass the exams to become a genin would be...embarassing to say the least. Thankfully, Hajime had mostly been a ninja with the fundamentals before. Nothing crazy or over-the-top like those prodigies, just something simple. A chunnin at fifteen, while talented, isn't exactly anything to be shocked about.

Especially since, as a Nara, he was mostly just a support to his teammates. Thus, why he had survived.

TWC: 814

When Hajime approached Shojin, he groaned inwardly.  There was nothing that he had against Hajime in particular; he was just hoping to get out of here without talking to more people.  The whole public figure thing wasn't exactly his scene, and though it wasn't much of a public figure, he still did not like it.  Still, Shojin was polite.  He extended his hand for a hand shake, and put that fake smile on his face that he always held so often.  He was particularly skilled at this, with his background in business.  Not that he was good a faking a lot; he wasn't a great liar or anything.  He was just good at being friendly when he didn't particularly feel like it. 

"Hi Hajime, I'm Shojin Kagemori.  It's only been about two months, give or take?  I'm actually hoping to attend the Chuunin Exams soon, actually, but I digress.  Why do you ask?"  He wasn't sure why he'd mentioned that; perhaps just because it was on his mind at the moment, and he didn't really know what else to say, so he defaulted.  Either way, it wasn't all that entirely important.  "Oh and how did you do?  Think you passed?"  Shojin had almost forgot to ask, but figured it might be a good idea; truly, it wasn't that he was bothered by it, just a bit uncomfortable.

1011

Hajime would listen to Shojin talk; not particularly moved. Even when two months since becoming a genin was being brought up, as well as the concept of the guy becoming chunnin. It was...well, he knew a couple of people like that. All of them were special characters, for better or worse. Usually absurdly strong with judgement that hadn't caught up with their strength, and they often ended up dying.

For the sake of the Leaf, Hajime had no real want of Shojin's death. Sure, he would if hired to kill the guy but...otherwise, Hajime got the surgey and a name change purely to serve the Leaf. Hajime had literally died to serve the Leaf, so he considered himself a fellow ninja even before repassing the genin exams. Hajime would wait until the second and third question were asked before he responded.

"I asked purely due to my own curiosity. So far as my passing of the academy test? If I did it properly, I should pass slightly outside the outstanding people. After all, standing out is counterintuitive to being a ninja is it not?" Hajime would respond; before finishing, "I simply wish to enjoy the wage of a ninja, is that so much to ask?"

Hajime would about-face and leave directly after that without elaborating. After all, he had asked his questions and staying too long would invite unwarranted questions.

TWC: 1044

[exit]